Moeen Ali claims racial abuse during the 2015 Ashes

By Rajsi Swaroop

Image Credit: @Getty

The English all-rounder, Moeen Munir Ali claimed in his autobiography about being racially abused by an Australian player during Ashes 2015. Ali said the incident took place during the first Test in Cardiff where the all-rounder scored crucial 77 runs and took a five-wicket haul. Later on, Ali’s contribution through bat and ball became the reason for the opponent’s defeat.

“It was a great first Ashes Test regarding my performance. However, there was one incident which made me awkward. An Australian player had turned to me and said, ‘Take that, Osama.’ I could not believe what I heard. I remember going red. I have never been so angry on the field” wrote Ali in his autobiography.

He complained to the England coach Trevor Bayliss about being racially abused on-field to have a word with Australian coach Darren Lehman. Lehman asked his boys about Ali’s claim, and they said “No”.

Image Credit: @Getty

Ali answered the racist “Take that, you part-timer” but he was angry during the whole match. Ali stressed the rude and disrespectful behaviour of the Australian cricketers. “Just rude, not intimidating. Individually they were fine, and the Aussies we’ve had at Worcester were fantastic, lovely guys” said Moeen.

While talking to a renowned media house, Moeen continued his take on Australian team by saying, this is the only team he disliked not because they have a cricketing rivalry but because of their disrespectful behaviour on the field. While talking about the Ball-tampering saga, he said he usually feel sad about people when things go wrong, but it is difficult to feel sorry for them.

Moe emphasised on ‘chirping’ while talking about his failure in 2017 Ashes. He scored just 179 runs at an average of 19.88 and picked up five wickets.

Ali, 31, comes from a Pakistani and English heritage, he also compliant about being racially abused by the Australian supporters last winter during Ashes 2017 in Australia.